not very attractive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very attractive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that does not have a pleasing appearance or is not appealing in some way. Example: "The design of the new product is functional, but it's not very attractive compared to its competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's not very attractive".

The Guardian

Unfortunately, they're not very attractive.

The New York Times

"It's small-minded and petty, and it's not very attractive".

The New York Times - Magazine

Rachel Anderson, 25, Glasgow "She's not very attractive".

The Guardian - Film

Harder than most woods, but not very attractive to look at.

Independent

"He represents something that is not very attractive right now," Mr. Strickland said.

The New York Times

There are ads, but these are not very attractive to marketers.

The New York Times

Sometimes a child looks not very attractive, other times they look like a model".

The Guardian

I made the mistake in the early books of making him not very attractive.

The Guardian

"When the weather's nice, it's delightful, although it's still not very attractive".

The New Yorker

His elusive, not very attractive and rather problematic character makes for a compelling though sometimes faintly misguided biography.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "not very attractive", consider specifying why it lacks appeal. Be precise about what makes it unappealing to give your reader a clearer understanding.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "not very attractive" without providing context or detail. This can leave your reader with a vague impression. Instead, elaborate on specific aspects that contribute to the lack of attractiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very attractive" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. As seen in Ludwig, it qualifies a noun by indicating a lack of appeal or aesthetic quality. It serves to express a subjective assessment regarding attractiveness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not very attractive" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something lacks appeal, as verified by Ludwig. It functions as a descriptive adjective phrase with a neutral register, suitable for various contexts from news reports to scientific discussions. While "not very attractive" is a useful and acceptable phrase, as the numerous examples provided by Ludwig indicate, writers should strive to provide specific details about why something is "not very attractive" to enhance clarity and impact. Alternatives like "somewhat unattractive" or "not particularly appealing" can offer subtle shifts in meaning, allowing for more nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unattractive

Expresses a slightly stronger degree of unattractiveness than the original phrase.

rather unattractive

Uses "rather" to indicate a more definite or noticeable degree of unattractiveness.

not particularly appealing

Shifts the focus from physical attractiveness to general appeal.

less than appealing

Similar to 'not particularly appealing', but with a slightly more formal tone.

visually unappealing

Specifically refers to the visual aspect of unattractiveness.

not aesthetically pleasing

Uses more formal language to describe a lack of beauty or attractiveness.

plain-looking

Describes someone or something that is simple in appearance and lacks adornment or special features.

homely

Implies a simple, unpretentious appearance that lacks conventional beauty.

unlovely

Directly contrasts with 'lovely', indicating a lack of charm or beauty.

unprepossessing

Suggests a lack of initial appeal or charm, often hiding deeper qualities.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "not very attractive"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat unattractive", "not particularly appealing", or "visually unappealing", depending on the context.

How to use "not very attractive" in a sentence?

You can use "not very attractive" to describe something or someone that does not have a pleasing appearance or is not appealing in some way. For example: "The design is functional, but it's "not very attractive".

Is it appropriate to describe someone as "not very attractive"?

While grammatically correct, describing someone as "not very attractive" can be considered impolite or insensitive. Consider the context and your audience before using this phrase to describe a person. Using phrases like "unprepossessing" may be better in certain scenarios.

What is the difference between "not very attractive" and "unattractive"?

"Not very attractive" implies a milder degree of unattractiveness compared to "unattractive", which is a stronger, more direct statement.